Civilization The West & The Rest -

These features distinguish the "West" from the "Rest" by explaining how a small minority of the global population secured the majority of its resources:

In his book and documentary series Civilization: The West and the Rest , historian Niall Ferguson identifies six "killer applications" that enabled Western civilization to achieve global dominance starting in the 1500s. The Six "Killer Apps" of Western Civilization Civilization The West & the Rest

: Other civilizations have now successfully "downloaded" these six features, allowing countries like China to challenge Western supremacy. These features distinguish the "West" from the "Rest"

: Breakthroughs in healthcare more than doubled life expectancy, allowing Western empires to expand into previously inhospitable regions. : He suggests the West is losing faith

: He suggests the West is losing faith in its own heritage and institutions, potentially leading to a sudden demise rather than a slow transition.

: The Scientific Revolution gave the West a major military and technological advantage over Eastern rivals.

: A combination of institutional frameworks and cultural values (often linked to the Protestant work ethic) provided the human capital necessary for sustained development. Current Status and Potential Decline